EUROPEAN RED LIST OF REPTILES Tenerife Speckled Lizard (Gallotia intermedia)

May 2009

The Tenerife Speckled Lizard, a species discovered in 1996 and restricted to the northwest of Tenerife (Spain). In historical times it is believed to have been widespread on Tenerife. It is presumed that the decline in this species was largely due to predation by introduced cats. A recovery action plan has been developed for this species. This species is listed as Critically Endangered in Europe, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Photo©Philippe Geniez

Living animals of the Tenerife Speckled Lizard (Gallotia The main threat to this lizard has been predation by feral intermedia) was discovered in 1996 in the Macizo de cats and, to a lesser degree, by rats. It is presumed that Teno in the extreme northwest of Tenerife island, in the the historical decline in this species was largely due to Canary Islands (Spain). It is now know from a small predation by cats. Several of the smaller populations, area of coastline in the extreme west of the island, and consisting of a few individuals, may be threatened by the also from Montana de Guaza in the extreme south. effects of inbreeding. It is believed that the species was once widespread throughout much of Tenerife. Measures to control access by cats to some of the remaining populations, such as fencing, have been There are approximately 40 isolated populations along implemented. A recovery action plan has been 9 km of coastline, and many of these populations are developed for this species. The species may still exist in now increasing as a result of the successful control of other inaccessible parts of Tenerife; more field surveys introduced predatory mammals. are urgently needed.

This species inhabits rugged terrain, with rocks and This species is listed as Critically Endangered in Europe, boulders, often found on small rock ledges with sparse according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. vegetation. The species is presumed to have once occurred in a variety of habitats across Tenerife. The species is largely herbivorous and it is an egg-laying species.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ - Regional Assessment